Best Of
Re: cording (axillary web syndrome)
I had cording and did have a couple PT visits to help with it.
one thing the PT recommended was holding the stretches for longer than I had been at home, instead of holding for 10 seconds holding for longer as tolerated. That seemed to make a big different. She also did some massage of the area which helps to release the cording.
Re: How has normal, day-to-day life changed for you after diagnosis? Share your “different normal.”
I finished treatment on Thursday and found this thread very helpful. This was my second diagnosis so you'd think I would know what "different normal" looks like, but I'm finding it'll be a "different different normal." I'm a bit lost, to be honest; it's still as strange not to have daily/ weekly appointments as it was last time.
Still, my day-to-day echoes my previous lives. The lawn still needs to be mowed, laundry still needs to be folded. I've worked throughout treatment, a welcome constant.
On the other hand, bone pain is a daily problem. Hot flashes remain severe - I've been menopausal for years but chemo really shut things down. I still wake up with cancer the first thing on my mind. I'm deep-down-to-my-core exhausted.
My goals are to rebuild strength / flexibility / stamina, and to find some joy or meaning in every day. I take photos of my hair regrowth so I can see the progress (a tip learned from the June 2011 chemo group here). I started seeing a therapist. Some days I feel hopeful. 💝
